Thursday, August 1, 2013

You Got To Make it Through The World If You Can

“Everywhere you look it’s like a jungle book” Zeke

Last night Principal La hosted a Puja at his house. A puja
is a prayer session that drives away ghosts and ensures prosperity. This is
done in every temple and household throughout Bhutan a ritual that is not superstitious
rather a regular part of life. Principal La was in high spirits and I felt honored
to sit next to him and Karlos adjacent from Lama. The Alter was behind us which
is prominent in every home from the simplest abode to the most fancy. On this
alter pictures of HM, Guru Rinpoche, peacock feathers and Miss Conch. When I
stumbled into a shack in the forests of Yangtse the residents had no
furnishings but a simple alter with seven bowls of water, the simplest
offering. That transcendental experience with Yeshi refilling my suja a
thousand times and offering anything she had will remain with me forever. Much
in the same spirit Principal La and his family made a fine supper and the mood
was mirthful as all Tsenkharla family drank gabbed and laughed through the
festivities. It’s always the same format with tea followed by beer and ara then
food, once one is done eating its customary to split. It’s a lovely and tribal
community here as folks sat on the floor in gho, and bare feet (the woman ate in
a separate room) longhouse style. I’m very glad I stayed a second year since it
takes a whole year to acclimate and partially adapt. The second year one can
truly get down to business although that business gnawed at me awfully hard
today, a long day as students were over doing homework for two hours and on
their way out I caught one of them stealing milk. Of course milk is inconsequential
but it bothered me none the less even though I understand their desires. I
always feed them snacks and try to entertain them but I do expect honesty on
their part. I feel for these boys, one of them never knew his father but two of
the three boys who were here tonight I have caught pilfering including an I-pod
that was later returned damaged. Listen to the old fuddy-duddy rant but today
was a BEAR without the grin as I flopped in class nine or more aptly they were
terrible listeners causing discord in the classroom. Bhutanese teachers use
blunt force and get the results of a quiet classroom. I don’t want to teach
frightened children but I do expect their attention and respect. Classroom
management is my glaring weakness and although it’s improved it’s a struggle as
I am not endowed with a commanding presence. My strength is enthusiasm and I
feel I’m a good champion for the students but teaching is an art form with
endless nuances and you either have aptitude or not. Those in the second
category have to fake it until they make it. Well folks I haven’t made it yet
and I’ve never been a good fake. Nevertheless this is an ideal and challenging environment
to grow my career and I promise y’all I’m trying my best (or at least 99.9%)

It should be noted here that there are far more successes in the classroom than hardships and I have hatched several ideas to improve speaking and listening and will keep you informed. Hey we all have a tough day on the job now and again and it would behoove me to consider what I do a playful vocation and then hoo boy.

Found solace out in the woods among giant leaves that could harbor techno colored pipe puffing catapillars and a summers boquet of arrangements while we wait....

About Me

I was raised in Marin County Cailifornia north of San Francisco. I was blessed growing up spending summers with my family on Donner Lake near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I earned my B.S in English and Writing from Southern Oregon University in Ashland. After college I spent some years skiing at Alpine Meadows before teaching ESL in South Korea for a year. I was fortunate to travel to Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia while in Asia. I was particularly fascinated by Khmer culture and enjoyed my visit to Angkor. I recently completed my teacher training at Dominican University in San Rafael receiving my California Credential. With the support of The Bhutan Canada Foundaton I am leaving for Bhutan in January 2012 for a stint as a teacher.